Stephen King
Westminster Tour Guide
I’m a part-time historian, full-time Londoner and fully qualified tour guide. Introducing guests to the secrets of my hometown is a passion. My tours aim to uncover the often overlooked histories and hidden backstreets of London. Nothing pleases me more than showing a local an interesting gem that they have been walking past for years! My tours are friendly, fun and informative and will happily take you for a detour to find the best ice-cream shop.
I have a particular love for south of the river, Borough and Bankside, the often lawless, but always fun bit of London. When not touring or thinking about walking tours I like nothing better than reading about Victorian palaeontologists.
Oh, and I have a phd in Oceanography – now, that’s another story!
Join Stephen on a London guided walk
Private tours with Stephen
Explore the many nasal passageways of Soho and the West End including art installations and body bits.
Explore London's scientific and literary history.
Explore Clapham Common's uncommon history.
Looking for a more personal experience? Get what you really want from your London trip with a bespoke private tour.
The area of Southwark is popular with foodies and film-makers alike but it was once a mecca for miscreants who enjoyed its taverns and theatres, brothels and bear-baiting.
Discover the home of the British Monarchy.
Read Stephen's Reviews
Mary
July 12, 2023
Lovely morning with Steve, I thoroughly enjoyed this tour nice places to see and this area is steeped in history and I will go back in my own time to explore the physics garden. Steve was well equipped on the arts and the Tudors. Great tour and well delivered.
Nora
July 7, 2023
A very pleasant stroll around the streets of Soho, only slightly marred by the impact of changing the start venue whilst we waited for the “missing” to find us. Stephen our guide shared loads of information about the many colourful characters that lived in Soho, including Casanova and Marx. Overall, an entertaining and informative walk and I certainly now have a goal in mind. Great wealth, if only I can find the other 6 noses!
Christopher Matthews
July 1, 2023
Stephen was terrific — a knowledgable, engaging guide who gave our group of university students a thorough and richly historical orientation to the layers of Soho.
May 16, 2023
As always excellent 5 STAR guided walk with Stephen from londonguidedwalks.co.uk! Had a great sunny Sunday late morning walk through Whitehall, learning so much about the area, politics and motivator factors of great British Empire from 18th century onwards. So many statues that we just pass on a daily basis without a second glance- but so much history behind those. Many thanks to Hazel and her team for an amazing knowledge, humour, professionalism!
Vic-Ido
September 11, 2022
The tour was actually called a Nosey Round Soho and Steve was our guide. Steve, was so knowledgeable, funny and super gracious as he navigated us through the streets of Soho. I’d lived in London for 10 years and hadn’t ever learnt as much about the place in those few hours with Steve.
Kateryna and Nina
August 19, 2022
We went to a walking tour and talk around Soho. Fantastic storytelling by Stephen. Would definitely highly recommend.
Nazima
August 14, 2022
Absolutely amazing walk Nosey around Soho! Our guide Steve had a great knowledge of area taking us step by step through Covent Garden, explaining the origins of the names of the streets, landmarks and people that lived there. We made our way to Soho discovering fascinating bollards, noses on the buildings, story of cholera and Dr Snow who proved that it was water bourne. We covered different periods, trends and famous people. Absolutely loved it! Many thanks to Steve for making our tour so special!
Nazima
August 14, 2022
We took park in Southwark Walk guided on a hot Sunday afternoon, but despite the heat, our guide Stephen, kept us captivated all 1.5 hours! We started opposite Borough Market and finished near Tate Modern. We visited so many amazing historic spots, talked about Shakespeare, Choucer, Marlow, moods of those times, visited Crossbones graveyard and learnt its story. Passed the site of famous Anchor brewery, place of original Globe theatre all the while learning facts, legends and anecdotes about famous inhabitants. Great Walk a d a definite must for visitors and Londoners alike! Thank you to our amazing guide Steve!
Galina and Steve
August 14, 2022
Another excellent walk, this time around Southwark.
Jeff
August 13, 2022
Excellent, interesting, informative tour. Recommend Stephen for any tour. Really enjoyed it.
Julia
February 27, 2022
Had such a fabulous afternoon. Steve was a wonderful guide – interesting and knowledgeable. The walk was a great pace and it was so nice to be somewhere so green and away from people and traffic. Have already booked another for a few weeks time.
Beverly
July 11, 2022
All I can say is these types of tours make it or break it with the guide. Our guide Stephen was excellent. He was not only knowledgeable but he was very enthusiastic and careful about portraying images of how the land and people were and behaved oh so long ago. He made sure we were all included and answered questions when asked. He even had a few books on hand that dispelled some myths about historical sites as we went along. Stephen to his credit was even nice to me- as I did arrive two minutes late from Woking Rail but he welcomed me to the group and I felt relaxed straightaway and felt included. The best thing is I have spent many years walking around the area and I found Stephen’s tour was a real eye opener! You definitely don’t need to be a tourist to enjoy this tour. Thank you, Stephen!
Lawrence and Christopher
July 4, 2022
This was an excellent walk full of interesting facts about a place that I live in and was not aware of. Delivered by a excellent and knowledgeable guide. Lawrence.
Betty
July 3, 2022
This was a very interesting morning. I was definitely drawn into the historical history of the little streets near London Bridge where Stephen took us. I was especially amazed by the paupers grave where the bones were recently discovered. The site maidens lane where prostitutes lived. The old globe theatre where I could see the original cobble stones too. I really enjoyed the walk and talk. He was clear articulate and very happy to answer questions and enthusiastic . Recommended.
Helen
June 13, 2022
Our tour guide Stephen is very personable and uses photos of events to bring alive the places we visited. The route was interesting and many of the statues I confess to have never seen before. With central London almost back to normal, the loud background noise at the start of the tour made it difficult for me to hear. However, once we moved away from parliament square it was easier to ‘tune in’ to the guide. A very enjoyable way to spend a sunny afternoon.
Brenda
June 13, 2022
Another great walk with Stephen who took us to all the sites associated with the coronation with fascinating facts and stories. Extremely enjoyable. Thank you
June 13, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this walk. Steve was knowledgeable sharing history and anecdotes of the Queen’s Coronation. He showed us photos of important events which I appreciated and walked us from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace with lots in between. He also pointed out statues of the Queen’s family that I’d walked past many a time without noticing! An interesting tour and how relevant after celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Erica
June 12, 2022
Really, really good and our guide was an extremely knowledgeable chap.
Fiona
June 5, 2022
We wandered through areas of London we had not previously explored and were introduced to new information about sites and buildings that we thought we knew!
Deborah
June 4, 2022
This was a very informative walk which tied up loose ends for me!!! Stephen is very friendly and knowledgeable and welcomes questions and comments from us.
Louisa
May 31, 2022
We wandered through areas of London we had not previously explored and were introduced to new information about sites and buildings that we thought we knew!
Stephanie
May 30, 2022
This was an excellent walk and really got me in the mood for the Jubilee celebrations. Stephen was an excellent guide and took us to see really interesting things. The display of Commonwealth flags was amazing. I didn’t realise how many countries were in the Commonwealth and they were a sight to behold. We finished at Buckingham Palace which looked lovely in the sunshine and I really recommend this walk.
Wendy
May 30, 2022
Stephen our tour guide was brilliant. He had a very clear and pleasant way of telling us the history of the areas that we were stopping at. I am a Londoner and frequently up in the Victoria area but Stephen pointed out things that I had never noticed before and added interesting facts. A very enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Carolyn
May 29, 2022
What a fantastic way to spend a Sunday afternoon.Thoroughly enjoyed the walk, very informative and got me in the mood for the Platinum Celebrations.I felt that Stephen had done excellently planning both the content of the walk and also the route for so many roads were closed today.I would highly recommend. Looking forward to the next walk.
May 23, 2022
A most enjoyable and informative stroll. I can’t guarantee the perfect weather we enjoyed, however.
Sue and Brian
May 22, 2022
Interesting walk around a little known area.
Stephen
April 24, 2022
‘Southwark Walk’ with Stephen from londonguidedwalks.co.uk A fascinating stroll through parts of Southwark’s rich history. From the Roman construction of the first bridge across the Thames, London Bridge, and how this thoroughfare attracted all manner of merriment and gore, low life, alleys, inns, brothels, burial grounds, playhouses a palace, a church and cathedral. Stephen really brought buildings and historical facts to life, while killing off some fake facts writ in stone as well! Peppered with intrigue and magic I left delighted to understand Southwark so much more, the guide’s enthusiasm was a joy!
Valerie
March 2, 2022
Fascinating lesser known facts shared while walking through less well known parts of Soho with warm, welcoming, informative guide.
Caroline
February 28, 2022
A great walk with Steve around Soho and Covent Garden finding little cut throughs that I never knew were there. He was friendly and informative and I really enjoyed it.
Julia
February 27, 2022
Had such a fabulous afternoon. Steve was a wonderful guide – interesting and knowledgeable. The walk was a great pace and it was so nice to be somewhere so green and away from people and traffic. Have already booked another for a few weeks time.
Myrtle
February 27, 2022
I definitely enjoyed the tour. The tour guide was brilliant, lively, well prepared, knew the history of the are and excellent delivery of it. I would surely recommend it to others.
Sheila
February 6, 2022
Very interesting walk around Borough and Beyond. Even though I have been to this area often the information regarding the history of the back streets I did not know. Also the influence of the City of London had during the Tudor and Stewart periods towards this area. Stephen was friendly, professional and entertaining. I fully recommend these London walks.
Richard
February 6, 2022
Superb tour. Learned loads about an area we visit often. Great fun too.
Margaret
February 6, 2022
A great walk with Stephen who is an excellent guide. I learned so much about the history of the area. Would thoroughly recommend. Thank you.
Brenda
February 6, 2022
A great walk with Stephen who is an excellent guide. I learned so much about the history of the area. Would thoroughly recommend. Thank you.
Louisa
December 4, 2021
What a great walk. Not a run of the mill subject for a walk but it was very interesting and lots of places identified connected to the writers and their books as well as many scientists and their ‘discoveries’. Steve was friendly, full of knowledge and happy to answer any questions. Very much recommended!
Brenda
December 1, 2021
Steve is an excellent and knowledgeable guide. The walk which was in a very nice part of London was very interesting learning about people and places of the past. Would highly recommend.
Angela
December 1, 2021
Friendly, informative and entertaining guide. Good pace. Thoroughly recommend.
Dominic
November 28, 2021
It’s a delight to write a review. I thought that I knew most of what there is to know of Clapham – but, no. So interesting, so informative – he really had noticed so many small details. Thank you.
Barbara
November 28, 2021
Stephen delivers such an interesting, clear and enthusiastic talk that will brighten up the day no matter how rainly and windy.
Helen
November 7, 2021
An interesting walk with Stephen who is a personable and knowledgeable guide. Even if you know the area there are little gems that, unless they are pointed out, are easy to miss. We always come away from a London Guided Walk learning something new and wanting to go back to the area to explore it further. Thank you.
November 1, 2021
Brilliant brilliant History Walk on Clapham Common with Stephen. As someone born and raised in Clapham there was many things I learnt on this informative tour. A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Geoffrina
October 3, 2021
A great area for a walk led by a professional and knowledgable guide. I particularly enjoyed the history along the Thames and the quieter streets where you can find the original site of Globe and Rose theatres. Ending at Tate modern. Lovely day as well.
September 30, 2021
Very interesting tour with a knowledgeable guide. I particularly liked the chewing gum art work on the south side of the Millennium Bridge, something that could have easily been missed. I also like the fact this company seems to cater for Londoners as opposed to tourists like some other walking tour companies do. My only criticism of this tour was that the guide was sometimes hard to hear. Maybe a portable microphone could be the solution?
Margaret
September 28, 2021
A fascinating visit to a very interesting part of Central London, this was a great way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon. Stephen was very informative, and punctured a few myths about the homes of the famous. He is also very up to date, with contemporary art locations as well as the burial place of Shakespeare’s brother. This walk is highly recommended, even if you have lived in London a long time.
Marilyn
September 27, 2021
A gentle walk, with fascinating insights into the changing landscape of this area and some colourful characters who lived or worked here. Stephen is clearly very well-informed, but wears his erudition lightly and is a friendly, cheerful group leader.
